Elementary School Classroom in a Slum MCQ – [Updated for 2025]

2. About the Poet – Stephen Spender

Stephen Spender (1909–1995) was a renowned English poet and essayist. Much of his work focused on social injustice, inequality, and education reform, which is clearly reflected in this poem.

3. Poem Summary in Simple Words

The poet describes a dull, lifeless classroom filled with slum children. Their faces are pale, their hopes are dim, and the world outside is almost inaccessible. Spender calls for an urgent change — children should be liberated from this cycle through education and equality.

4. Themes & Literary Devices

• Themes: Poverty, Inequality, Education, Hope vs. Despair

• Devices: Simile (“like rootless weeds”), Metaphor, Imagery, Alliteration, Symbolism

5. Top 25 MCQs from An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum

MCQ 1:

What is the main theme of the poem?
A) Beauty of nature
B) Love and romance
C) Social injustice and education inequality
D) Urban development
Answer: C

MCQ 2:

“Like rootless weeds” refers to:
A) Children playing in gardens
B) Uprooted plants
C) Unwanted slum children
D) Pollution
Answer: C

MCQ 3:

What does the ‘donations’ on the classroom wall signify?
A) New syllabus books
B) Rich heritage
C) Neglect and charity-based education
D) Interactive smart boards
Answer: C

MCQ 4:

What kind of environment is described inside the classroom?
A) Bright and hopeful
B) Joyful and colorful
C) Gloomy and dull
D) Tech-savvy
Answer: C

MCQ 5:

What is the tone of the poet?
A) Happy and cheerful
B) Sarcastic and humorous
C) Critical and empathetic
D) Indifferent
Answer: C

(…and 20 more MCQs can be added with answer keys and optional explanations)

 Download Free PDF: Elementary School in a Slum MCQ + Answers PDF (insert downloadable link)

 6. Download: MCQ Practice Sheet (PDF)

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• 25+ MCQs

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• Poetic devices

• Summary notes
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7. FAQs

Q1. Which book contains this poem?
CBSE Class 12 English Core (Flamingo textbook)

Q2. How many stanzas are in the poem?
Four.

Q3. What message does the poet convey?
That education must be free from poverty barriers, and true learning must reach every child equally.

8. Final Tips for Scoring High in MCQs

• Understand poetic devices deeply.

• Focus on tone, symbolism, and hidden messages.

• Practice past year CBSE MCQs from this poem.